The Heroine and Villainess are Pregnant. What's Going On? - Chapter 81:

Chapter 81: The Man I Like…Is Someone Else’s Husband:

As Ling Ye and Ye Lin’s grand wedding ceremony continued in full swing, the sound of hooves echoed from the palace gates. A horse slowly trotted in, carrying a man lying face-down on its back. It was Yi Xuanchen.

The man appeared to be fast asleep, but the horse walked with a strange purpose, heading straight into the palace as if it knew exactly where to go. This was the animal’s first time here, yet it seemed to navigate as though guided by an unseen hand.

The guards didn’t stop the horse. After all, the emperor had decreed that no one should be hindered today. Even animals were welcome to enter.

Yi Xuanchen had traveled through the night to reach the palace. Exhausted, he had fallen asleep, leaving the horse to find its way. As he dozed, he began to dream.

In his dream, Yi Xuanchen saw his teacher from Xuanchen Mountain. He remembered the day he ascended the mountain as a four-year-old. His teacher had named him Yi Xuanchen after the mountain, and the memories of his teacher’s words played vividly in his mind.

“Our Xuanchen Mountain exists to safeguard the great fortune of Middle Earth,” his master had often said. “We don’t involve ourselves in the petty battles of princes and generals. Let them fight; it’s still the people of Middle Earth battling one another. Empires rise and fall, but Middle Earth remains. Its people remain. Its fortune remains. But if one day the fortune of Middle Earth begins to wane, we must act decisively. Until that day, learn your Taoism well… and start by washing these socks for your teacher!”

The dream shifted. Yi Xuanchen saw his senior brother, the recently deceased head of Xuanchen Mountain. Unlike the kind teacher, the senior brother’s stern face appeared in the dream, scolding him sharply. “Go fulfill your destiny, you fool! Don’t let me die with regrets!” A slap from the dream jolted Yi Xuanchen awake.

When he opened his eyes, he found himself in the middle of the bustling wedding square. His horse had walked him directly into the heart of the event, surrounded by a sea of curious faces.

Yi Xuanchen sat up groggily, blinking at the crowd. The awkwardness of his entrance was palpable, but his eyes quickly landed on the emperor, Ye Tianji, seated in the highest position. Startled, Yi Xuanchen scrambled off the horse and knelt.

“Greetings, Your Majesty!” he said hurriedly.

Ye Tianji looked at the odd figure before him with mild curiosity. This man seemed unremarkable—he possessed no martial prowess and lacked the air of a great master. Yet, the horse that had carried him here was anything but ordinary. The animal’s uncanny sense of direction hinted at something unusual.

Murmurs rippled through the crowd.

“Why is this charlatan here?” someone whispered. “Did he sneak in?”
“Who invited him?” another added, disdain thick in their voice.
“This guy is infamous for trickery! What’s he doing here?”

Hearing the crowd’s chatter, Ye Tianji’s curiosity deepened. This man seemed notorious, yet he had the audacity to appear at the wedding. After a moment, the emperor waved a hand.

“Rise,” Ye Tianji said. “Speak your piece.”

Yi Xuanchen stood and bowed deeply. “Your Majesty, I offer my congratulations to you, the princess, and her esteemed consort. May you live forever, and may the princess and her consort grow old together in happiness!”

Ye Tianji nodded slightly. “If you’ve come to offer congratulations, you’re welcome here.”

Encouraged, Yi Xuanchen decided to press his luck. Bowing again, he grinned. “Your Majesty, I have a small request. I hope you might grant me an official position!”

The crowd erupted into laughter.

“A position? This fraud must be joking!” someone jeered.
“Not only is he late, but he didn’t even bring a gift. Now he’s asking for a position?”
“What kind of audacity does it take to pull something like this?”

The ridicule spread, but Yi Xuanchen remained unfazed.

Ye Tianji raised an eyebrow, intrigued by the audacious request. “What position do you seek?” he asked with a smirk.

“The position of National Teacher,” Yi Xuanchen replied without hesitation, his voice steady.

The laughter died abruptly, replaced by stunned silence. The entire square froze, as though the world itself had paused.

“A National Teacher?” someone muttered in disbelief.
“This man is either mad or has no idea what he’s asking for!”

The title of National Teacher was one of immense prestige and influence, reserved for individuals of unparalleled virtue and wisdom. For this infamous fraud to ask for such a position bordered on absurdity.

Even Ye Tianji couldn’t help but laugh. The sheer boldness of the request amused him, and he was about to dismiss it as a joke when Ling Ye spoke.

“The Mysterious Jade Empire does indeed lack a National Teacher,” Ling Ye said calmly.

The crowd fell silent again, all eyes turning to Ling Ye.

If anyone else had spoken, it would have been dismissed as a jest. But Ling Ye’s words carried weight. He was not the kind of man to speak frivolously.

Ye Tianji’s amusement faded, replaced by a thoughtful expression. He trusted Ling Ye’s judgment. If Ling Ye believed this man was suitable, perhaps there was more to Yi Xuanchen than met the eye.

“Very well,” Ye Tianji said after a pause. “The Mysterious Jade Empire is in need of a National Teacher. I grant you the position.”

Gasps rippled through the square. The crowd could hardly believe their ears. Yi Xuanchen, the notorious fraud, was now the National Teacher of the Mysterious Jade Empire?

Yi Xuanchen himself looked like he wanted to curse. He shot Ling Ye a frustrated glare.

You just had to speak up, didn’t you? he thought bitterly. Now I’m trapped!

The crowd, meanwhile, erupted into a mix of shock, disbelief, and grudging admiration.

And so, the infamous Yi Xuanchen became the most unexpected National Teacher in the history of the Mysterious Jade Empire, much to the astonishment of everyone present.

The disdainful looks from the crowd quickly shifted to expressions of envy. 

How had Yi Xuanchen managed to gain favor from both His Majesty the Emperor and Prince Consort Ling Ye simultaneously?

Some people even began entertaining the idea of kneeling before the emperor to ask for an official position themselves. But when they considered it, they couldn’t summon the shameless audacity required to do what Yi Xuanchen had done.

For most, the idea of openly asking for a position without merit was unthinkable. Yet, they couldn’t deny feeling envious of Yi Xuanchen’s boldness—and his luck.

Yi Xuanchen had come seeking the title of National Teacher, but now that he’d actually received it, he wasn’t as thrilled as he thought he’d be. The title brought a weight he hadn’t fully considered, especially the inevitable entanglement with Ling Ye.

“Thank you, Your Majesty,” Yi Xuanchen said reluctantly, kneeling to express his gratitude. His tone betrayed a mix of resignation and bitterness. Deep down, he knew this position would draw him deeper into a web of schemes, particularly those involving Ling Ye.

Ling Ye, standing nearby, watched the scene unfold with a faint smile. To him, Yi Xuanchen’s unexpected appointment was a perfect addition to the Mysterious Jade Empire.

Yi Xuanchen glanced at Ling Ye and caught that knowing smile. Laugh, you bastard, he thought bitterly. You’ve roped me into this mess for good.

The wedding ceremony continued. The crowd gradually moved past the absurdity of Yi Xuanchen’s appointment, though it became a talking point whispered among guests. The rest of the grand celebration unfolded beautifully, lasting into the evening.

As night fell, Tianwu City remained brightly lit. 

The atmosphere was vibrant, the streets alive with festivity. The imperial palace, however, shone brightest, dominating the city’s skyline like a beacon of joy.

The wedding was over, marking the beginning of Ling Ye and Ye Lin’s life together as husband and wife.

But the celebration was soon followed by something much grimmer—the Dragon Slaying Plan.

Ye Tianji summoned a large map that outlined a portion of the dragon’s suspected range of activity. He had it magnified and displayed for everyone to see, then explained the plan in detail.

The strategy was simple yet ambitious: before slaying the dragon, they needed to trap it.

The plan involved completely surrounding a vast area of rivers, lakes, and pools—spanning hundreds of miles—with an intricate network of boats, iron chains, and other mechanisms. Once the area was secured, they would gradually shrink the perimeter, forcing the dragon into a smaller space.

The imperial court’s elite forces and the masters of the martial world would work together to execute this operation.

“Although the dragon can stir up waves and is immensely powerful,” Ye Tianji explained, “it’s still just a beast. With enough skilled fighters, it can be subdued. And with Ling Ye leading the charge, once it’s trapped, it will have no chance of survival.”

To motivate those gathered, Ye Tianji promised that everyone who participated in the plan would receive a share of the spoils. Dragon meat, valuable treasures, and rare materials from the beast would be divided among the contributors.

With the plan outlined, preparations began immediately. Boats, iron chains, and other essential materials were to be assembled before the operation commenced.

The day’s grand wedding officially concluded, leaving behind countless memories. In the days that followed, tales of the celebration spread throughout Tianwu City.

The streets buzzed with gossip. Ordinary citizens who had received royal rewards recounted their good fortune with delight.

Some martial world masters, thrilled to be part of the Dragon Slaying Plan, proudly displayed the gifts bestowed upon them—a wine cup carved from the horn of a dragon. These black-and-blue cups were rare treasures, worth far more than ordinary jade.

But amid the joyous chatter, one peculiar tale stood out: the strange incident of Yi Xuanchen.

The story of how Yi Xuanchen—a self-proclaimed wandering Taoist—had asked for, and received, the title of National Teacher from the emperor was met with equal parts laughter and disbelief. Many dismissed it as an outrageous stroke of luck, while others speculated about Yi Xuanchen’s true identity.

Another rumor began to circulate, though only among a small group. Whispers spread that Luo Xinli, the revered Sword Immortal and peerless beauty of martial world, harbored feelings for Ling Ye—the newlywed prince consort.

Though the idea of Luo Xinli liking another woman’s husband seemed scandalous, no one dared to tarnish her reputation. Instead, they framed it as a tragic tale of unrequited love, casting her in a sympathetic light.

Luo Xinli herself remained unfazed by the gossip. She had already resolved to leave Ling Ye behind. From now on, their lives would no longer intersect.

Several days later, Luo Xinli and Su Su finally arrived at their destination: Lingyun Valley, a secluded haven known for its peace and natural beauty.

But when they reached the valley, they were greeted by a horrific sight.

The serene paradise they had envisioned was gone. In its place was a desolate ruin, the aftermath of a devastating fire.

The valley, once brimming with life, lay in ashes. Blackened remnants of buildings dotted the charred landscape, and the air was thick with the smell of smoke.

Luo Xinli and Su Su sat motionless on their horses, staring in disbelief.

“How… how did it end up like this?” Su Su cried, jumping off her horse. Her voice trembled with shock and sorrow, her eyes welling with tears.

This was her home. Lingyun Valley was supposed to be untouched by the strife of the outside world—a sanctuary. Yet now, it had been reduced to ruins.

Su Su ran toward the remnants of what once was her home, her small figure shaking with grief. Luo Xinli dismounted and followed, her expression grim.

She couldn’t shake the feeling that this destruction was connected to something far larger—perhaps even the origin of the golden blood ginseng.

Standing amidst the ruins, Luo Xinli’s unease grew. 

She couldn’t help but feel that this was only the beginning. Something ominous was stirring in the martial world, and the events unfolding would change everything.